NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services celebrates new recovery community and outreach center in Buffalo

New center in Buffalo to aid New Yorkers in recovery from addiction

New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS) Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez visited Buffalo Tuesday to congratulate Lake Shore Behavioral Health Inc., a substance use disorder treatment provider, on its recent award of $1.75 million. The money will be used to create a recovery community and outreach center in Buffalo.

Lake Shore was one of six providers selected through a competitive request for proposal process. Lake Shore is partnering with Preventionfocus Inc. on the recovery center, which will be located at 69 Linwood Ave. The new center will provide supports for individuals and families who are recovering from a substance abuse disorder, or are seeking recovery services.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo first announced the funding awards in June. Other new centers will be located on Long Island and Staten Island and in Newburgh, Saratoga Springs and Watertown. These centers will complement recovery programs in Rochester, Brooklyn and Oneonta. 

"Community-based supports are crucial for New Yorkers in recovery," González-Sánchez said. "Lake Shore and Preventionfocus will offer a substance-free environment to help individuals on their recovery journey, and will be a welcoming place for families to turn to for resources."

These recovery centers are the latest addition to the governor's multipronged approach to addressing substance use disorders in New York. The centers will receive $350,000 in annual funding for five years. They will offer information and education to the community on how to access addiction treatment; assist with the navigation of insurance and treatment issues; provide wellness information and activities to foster a lifetime of wellness for individuals, families and community members; and engage peers and volunteers to assist those in recovery on their path toward wellness.

"Under Gov. Cuomo's leadership, New York state is once again demonstrating its commitment to ending the deadly opioid and substance abuse epidemic," said New York State Sen. Tim Kennedy. "Individuals and families that are in recovery from a substance abuse disorder need strong support services, and that is precisely what Lake Shore Behavioral Health will be able to provide with this grant. I have no doubt that this new funding will save lives and provide hope for families throughout Western New York."

"Recovery services and access to information is critical in addressing the substance abuse epidemic. We need institutions like Lake Shore Behavioral Health Inc. to continue providing critical resources and recovery services," said Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes. "The recovery community and outreach center in Buffalo will help educate and save countless lives. I'm certain that the funding will be utilized and help provide more comprehensive and efficient services.

"I applaud Gov. Cuomo for securing the funds and making today a reality."

"Lake Shore Behavioral Health is very pleased to be able to bring this important new resource to the residents of Western New York," said President Howard K. Hitzel, Psy.D. "The center will provide much-needed supports to people recovering from addiction and their families. The center's innovative services will complement the treatment programs that serve our community and will serve as a source of information and encouragement to recovering individuals and their loved ones."

The centers will provide a community-based, nonclinical setting that is safe, welcoming and alcohol/drug-free for any member of the community. Each recovery center will respond to the local area's specific needs related to obtaining substance abuse treatment services and addiction recovery supports.

The centers will promote long-term recovery through skill building, recreation, wellness education, employment readiness, civic restoration opportunities, and other social activities. Services will be accessible not only during the daytime hours, but also during evening and weekends, to meet the needs of individuals and families who may be in need of assistance at varying hours.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, seven-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or texting HOPENY. New Yorkers can find an OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment provider by searching the OASAS treatment availability dashboard and by visiting the access treatment page on the NYS OASAS website. For information about combating heroin use and prescription opioid drug abuse, visit New York state's combat heroin website. Information about anti-opioid overdose medication training is available HERE. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing underage drinking and drug use, visit the state's Talk2Prevent website.